Improvement in stocking-knee protectors



W. A. LIGHTHALL. Stocking-Knee Protector.

- Patented April 1,1879.

N. PEI'ERS. FHnTD-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. n C.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIOE.

WILLIAM A. LIGHTHALL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE BAXTER SMITH, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN STOCKING-KNEE PROTECTORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No- 2l3,76 l, dated April 1, 1879 application filed October 1, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAMA. LIGHTHALL, of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Stocking-Knee Protectors, which is fully described in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents the knee-protector fastened in place, and Fig. 2 a plan view of the protector extended.

My invention relates to an article to be worn over the knee, outside of the stocking, to protect the latter from wear, and is intended especially for children, though it may be used by adults if occasion requires.

The invention consists in the special form and construction of the protector, whereby it is adapted to fit the knee perfectly, and may be worn with ease.

The protector is made of substantially two distinct parts, which difi'er in form materially.

In the drawings, A represents the lower portion of the protector, which is substantially rectangular, though the extreme lower edge, a, may be curved, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The upper part, B, of the protector is made concave on one face, so as to neatly fit over the knee, and joins the former section, A, along the line m w, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. This concave portion is joined to the lower portion and curved along the line b on its outer edge, the curve being comparatively sharp.

To the ends of the rectangular portion A eyes or hooks, or some other fastening devices, are attached, by means of which the protector is fastened in place when attached to the knee. This is accomplished by one or more bands, which are fastened around the legs by hooks, buttons, or some other suitable device, by which they are attached to the ends of the lower part, A, of the protector.

In attaching the protector thus shaped to the leg, the rectangular portion A is intended to extend below the knee, and the concave portion B will then fit neatly up around the knee, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The fastening-bands will extend around the leg just above the fleshy part, and will thus be kept from falling below its proper position, while at the same time it will occasion no discomfort to the wearer.

An elastic cord, braid, or strap may be used for the fastening-band.

The protector is made of fine soft leather, lined with suitable cloth or it may be entirely of leather, or entirely of some suitable cloth, the material employed being no part of my invention.

The relation of the two parts A and B may be reversed, if desired, though I prefer the arrangement described, and these two sections may be formed in one piece by means of suitable gores, or they may be formed separately and then united.

The protector is intended especially for children, to obviate the wear of stockings at the knees, and is designed to be applied immediately outside of the stocking.

What I claim as new in this invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A stocking-knee protector consisting of a substantially straight or plain-surfaced band, A, provided with fastening devices at its ends, and a circular cap-piece, B, attached to one edge of the band, or made homogeneous there with, said cap-piece being concaved on one of its faces to conform to the knee, substantially as shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses this 28th day of September, A. D. 1878.

WILLIAM A. LIGHTHALL.

Witnesses:

HENRY M. MATTHEWS, NATHANIEL BACON. 

